Stay safe, my friend, stay safe.

   With Hurricane Ida threatening the Coast, we have been busy preparing.  Now, we find that she is making a slight turn to the east and is intensifying rapidly.  This is not good for us.  We will be in that upper right quadrant that is considered to be the "bad side".  We may be facing the brunt of the storm.  This is not said to belittle what the fine folks over in Louisiana are going to be dealt but to point out that you just never know what a storm is going to do.  I have been saying from the start that Ida is not going to play nicely and she sure looks like she intends on being quite the brat.

  As Son and I were out boarding the windows, I noticed that one of my critter friends was crouching down trying to avoid being seen.  Even though we were in full swing of a heavy chore, my heart started aching for all of my critter friends who were going to ride out this storm by their own wits.  Many will perish.  Hopefully, Gilbert, the frog, will take refuge between the window and plywood.  There, it will be somewhat protected.  Usually, we find that birds, frogs, insects and even snakes crawl into the small space and ride out the storm.  I have no problem with that.  They are welcome to seek refuge where they can.  

  Folks, once Hurricane Ida hits, I may not be able to post anything for a while.  We are likely to be without power and without Internet.  Stay safe.  Be kind.  Be generous.  

Battling Zeta

   We are tired.  We are hurricane weary from the storms of this year and the season still has another month to go.  About 3am on the day Hurricane Zeta was to hit, I could not sleep.  I was a bit edgy.  Even though Hurricane Zeta was to hit as a "minimal" hurricane, my gut told me different.  Zeta was not going to play nicely.  Zeta was going to come in fiercely and stay that way far inland.  I tried to warn folks but I guess my words seemed like the ramblings of a crazy, old swamp lady.  I knew.  I just knew this storm was not going to be an easy fight.

  What started as a blustery, rainy night soon turned into a battering gale.  We sat tight in the Little Bayou House and listened to the roar of the winds and things slamming the house.  At times, the floor quivered something awful and the house would groan.   The beast was at the door.  It was trying to shake its way inside.  The Little Bayou House held its own against the foe and kept us safe. 

  After just a few hours of the beating, the monster moved on its way to attack others and we were able to slip outside to check for damage.  It was hard to see in the darkness but the house seemed fine.  The tidal surge was still well up into the yard and tons (yes, literally tons) of debris was being tightly stacked in a long line around the property edge.  There would be months of cleanup come morning light.

  Folks, while this all seems dire, life is good.  We made it through yet another hurricane with the Little Bayou House protecting us.  Friends, there are a lot of good folks out there that could use a helping hand.  We came out pretty much unscathed, but many folks suffered intensely.  Take a moment to say a little prayer for them or, if you can, lend a hand. It would be appreciated.

Zeta is on the way.

   Once again, we are preparing for a hurricane.  It appears that the Gulf Coast just cannot catch a break this year.  To be perfectly honest, I would not be surprised to hear that another enters the Gulf next month.  The season ends November 30th so that gives plenty of time for other systems to form.  While most have been swerving away from us, we are due for our hit.  I think Zeta is it.  Hurricane Zeta has set her sights on our area so the day has been spent preparing. Tomorrow, we wait.

  While securing the small skiff today, Son and I watched as a steady stream of shrimp boats made their way past our pier.  They were on their way to an inlet called "Hurricane Hole" up the Bay a ways.  The deep water area is surrounded by thick woods and hundreds of boats go there seeking safe harbor during the storms.  After the mandatory evacuation of the harbors is given, the boats (of all sizes and types) make their way in an orderly fashion.  Tempers do not flare among these fine folks.  They are all in this together and know very well that they need each other to survive.  Helping hands are offered when needed and folks are eager to follow up on those offers.  Good folks there.

  I watched as the shrimp boats chugged slowly along the channel and thought of how, years ago, there were no warnings of the hurricanes.  Folks did not know of incoming storms until the last moment.  Securing their belongings was often done during the midst of the hurricane.  There were no constant updates from weeks out.  There were no "spaghetti models".  There were no tracking charts.  There were, however, those who could "read" the weather and they would pass along their thoughts.  By word of mouth, the news spread...slowly.  Most of the time, a good many folks were caught unaware.  They rode out the storm as best they could with what they had on hand.  It was not easy.

  Now, we have data being thrown at us when a storm is weeks out.  It is almost an overload of information but is still appreciated.  We have time to do what is needed.  Today was spent doing those preparations and now we sit.  We wait.

The Eerie Calm

   Once again, our eyes are on the horizon as we await yet another storm system that is predicted to come our way.  We know that the path is still up in the air as these entities have their own "mind" when it comes to making landfall.  Hopefully, "Sally" will scoot across the Gulf quickly and head to shore without stalling.  It is that time over water that causes us worry.  The waters of the Gulf are hot which is never a good thing when it comes to storms.  It fuels them.  The longer a system stays over the warm water, the stronger and better formed it will become.  We will just have to wait and see how this one plays out.

  While on the pier early this evening, I had to marvel at the peacefulness of the Bay.  Nary a breeze blew even though storm clouds washed the sky in an array of blues and grays.  I had the feeling that this was supernatural. Was this the "calm before the storm"?  In a way, I hope not.  It has been my finding that when the area goes into a eerie calmness such as this, the lurking storm does not treat us well.  Hopefully, that will not be the case.  To be honest, however, I have a nagging feeling in the pit of my belly.  Wherever "Sally" makes landfall, there is sure to be plenty of flooding due to the angle of her approach.  

  Folks, use a bit of commonsense when dealing with tropical storms and hurricanes.  Neither is something you should take lightly.  Son and I will ride this one out in the Little Bayou House as we have every one before.  It should be interesting.  Stay safe!

Hurricane Laura....A Monster

   As I write this, my heart is heavy for the good folks in the path of Hurricane Laura.  That is not a storm that anyone wishes to face.  The devastation is going to be far worse than many can comprehend.  After riding out Hurricane Katrina on the Bayou, I can tell you first hand that Hurricane Laura is a monster.  I have dear friends right in the path of this storm and they stand to lose everything they own.  Hopefully, they will stay safe.  Sadly, however, many people will lose their lives if they did not choose to evacuate.  It is gut wrenching to watch the satellite videos knowing the hurricane is still strengthening.  Its going to be a long, hard night for the folks in the path of this storm and the days after are going to be equally as hard as nothing...I repeat NOTHING will be the same for them.  

  I can only ask that each of you reading this will rally around the good folks who stand to lose so very much.  Open your hearts.  Help them in any way you can.  Give what you can.  Pray for them.  They are going to need it.  They are going to need to hear that you care.  We did.  Here on the Mississippi Coast, those of us who rode out Hurricane Katrina needed to hear that others cared that our lives were turned upside down.  We needed to hear that you cared that, even years and years later, things would never be the same.  Be kind, folks, be kind.  

The Night Before

   Sitting and waiting is one of the hardest things for me to do.  The day was busy with hurricane preparations that must be done when you live on the water but now that the chores are completed, the waiting has started.  Is Hurricane Marco going to come our way?  Is Tropical Storm (maybe Hurricane) Laura going to follow the same path?  That, my friends, is anybody's guess and that is what makes the waiting so difficult.  What if all the preparations were done without purpose?  If the storms decide to go elsewhere, my hard day was for naught.

  This evening, I made one last run to the pier to check on the small skiff.  The boat has been pulled up into the yard but with the incoming tidal surge, it will need to be checked often.  It was on the final run before dark that the sky was ablaze with color.  Yep...the Night Before.  Those brilliant colors were the sun's rays bouncing off the gathering storm clouds.  Within a few hours, our weather can change dramatically...and for the worse.  Still, I am sitting here safe and sound in the Little Bayou House.  It has taken care of us through far worse storms and we are depending upon it to do the same with Marco and Laura.  The show on the horizon tonight was a bit deceiving for what is to come.  By morning light, the Bayou should  be rockin' and rollin' with Marco.  Stay safe, folks, stay safe.

Double Trouble?

   Things are a bit up in the air around the Coast.  I am sitting here listening to the drone of the huge engines of our Hurricane Hunters as they are preparing to fly over the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding area.  These folks are true heroes that go above and beyond to keep us safe.  The uncertainty of whether we are to be in the path of the two hurricanes that are threatening back to back visits has folks not knowing just how to prepare.  Do we stockpile enough supplies to carry us through two storms or do we wait and hope the storms change their directions.  Those a bit inland can get by with minimal effort and laugh at our quandary but those living near the water have a different set of rules about facing hurricanes.  We do not have the buffer zone that others have.  If a hurricane takes aim at us, we catch the brunt of it.  The winds die quickly once the eye comes ashore.  Of course, those inland do not have to be concerned about the tidal surge either.  With back to back storms, the effects are of course doubled as is the time span of the overall battering.  Even back to back tropical storms can do major damage to those of us with waterfront homes.  So, we prepare as only we know how to do!  We have learned from experience what works and what does not.  "Prepare for the worst and pray for the best" is always a good mantra.  In other words, take the ultimate of precautions then leave the rest to the Good Lord.

  Today, as I was heading to the pier, a thought struck me.  Son just this past week finished the repairs on the pier.  The damage from Tropical Storm Cristobal was extensive.  The entire structure of the pier was in shambles.  Now, we face the possibility of more damage.  When I questioned him on his thoughts, his statement was "Hurricanes are not something we can control.  Pier repairs are."  That made a lot of sense.  We won't worry about what "might" happen but will focus on the job at hand..whatever that may be.  If any readers are in the path of either storm or both storms, as the case may be, be careful.  Prepare for what may come and think safety first. 

Does She Know Something About The Weather?

  While it seems early for them to do so, the fiddler crabs are making their way up the hillside.  Normally, this departure from the mucky marsh takes place in August.  Then, the critters vacate their muddy tunnels and work their way up the hill.  They even go as far as the paved road which is some eight hundred feet or so from where they need to be.  The fiddler crabs do this mass, mini "migration" at odd times.

  The reasoning behind their move is still up in the air.  No one has been able to convince me of their true motive.  Some folks suggest that the crabs are searching for mates.  This is an odd idea as the entire mating and egg-laying process involves the damp marsh areas.  Other folks state that perhaps the crabs are in search of food.  Well, to answer that, fiddler crabs eat algae and bacteria from the marsh and also filter tiny particles of food from sand and mud.  They need the water to help with the filtering process.  Then there are the folks who say that the crabs migrate to higher ground when they sense that a storm is near.  Hurricanes flood the marshes and hence flood the crabs dens.  In an odd way, this makes more sense than the other claims.  If a fiddler crab can truly "feel" the change in barometric pressure, perhaps they can foretell when a storm is about to hit.  A few of the old-timers around here still cling to this belief and who am I to question them?  Common lore has it that the crabs will seek higher ground about two to three days before a storm is to brush through an area.  Once they leave their marshy home, they dig a new burrow in their newly selected site.  That same bit of lore states that the distance the crabs go inland correlates to the severity of a hurricane.  

  In viewing the weather forecast, I see that there are a couple of tropical storms that need watching.  For now, none are predicted to hit here.  The fiddler crabs, however, are on a hike.  Several have been found as far up the hillside as the board path and one adventurous little lady made it into the Small Gardens.  I sure hope she was a bit disoriented and is not adept at foreseeing the future!  I do not need a hurricane at the moment.

Storms, Gardens and Birds

  It is THAT time of year again and every eye around this area is watching the Gulf of Mexico.  While the storm, Cristobal, is supposed to not strengthen too much, it is still threatening to dump copious amounts of rain on us.  Yes, the landfall is supposed to be in Louisiana but that puts us on that east side.  Anyone who knows anything about hurricanes knows that is NOT where you want to be.  Of course, like other storms, our little area will cope even without the media attention.  Always have...always will.  We prepare.  We ride out the storm.  We carry on. 

  My one big beef with this storm is that it is coming so early in the season.  Why is that a problem?  Well, my garden is at its peak right now and any high winds, torrential downpours or flying debris will wreak havoc on the plants.  Seriously, I may as well call it a season and not worry about any more fresh veggies.  Thankfully, I was able to home can plenty for our winter stock already so we are good to go.  

  Today, as I was wandering about making a few minor storm preparations, I stopped to admire the healthy plants and thought how fortunate we are to be able to "uproot" ourselves and hunker down inside the Little Bayou House.  The plants and critters do not have that luxury.  They take the brunt of  the storm.  In fact, just outside the front door (south side), a little wren is sitting on five eggs in the hanging fern.  The tiny bird will not give up her nest if at all possible even if that old basket gets to banging around uncontrollably.  This fretted me something fierce so I secured her little home along with ours.  Armed with some strong wire, I reinforced the hanging chains and ran guy wires from the sides of the basket to the main posts.  The basket barely wiggled now so hopefully, my little friend will be safe.  Son and I have a difference in opinions about my efforts.  He says I am interfering with the course of nature.  I say I am trying to help a friend.  Either way, what is done..is done.  Stay safe, folks, stay safe. (Stay safe, Little Wren, stay safe!)

Living on the Bayou

  The tropical system that went inland west of us did not do considerable damage to our place.  We did, however, wind up with a mess in the front yard.  As with any rough weather, debris from the marsh is washed ashore and our pier takes a beating.  Most of the time, the pier withstands the winds fine but, if you throw in a bit of high tide, the boards just cannot take the pounding.  Planks will lift off and go floating into the marsh.  Some can be retrieved and reused but others will never be seen again,  The marsh claims the boards and they soon become part of the "fill" as marsh shoots penetrate the boards and anchor them.  Birds use these boards as resting spots, otters will find them handy as "tables" to crack shells, snakes soak up a bit of sunshine while basking on them and fiddler crabs burrow deep beneath them.  This is our loss and we have to replace those missing planks but, in an odd way, is the marsh denizens gain.

  Although the pier only lost a small number of planks, the work involved in replacing them is a bit labor intensive.  It is not a problem as it come with living on the water in a place where hurricanes are a way of life.  In a way, this could be considered a blessing in disguise as we have been meaning to replace a good bit of the structural parts beneath the planking for some time now.  The wear and tear of waves requires a constant upkeep.  Replacing planking is the easy part.

  This afternoon as the waters receded, a number of planks could be seen lodged in the marsh.  These are just a reminder of what storms can do and how blessed we are that this one was not worse.  The next one?  Who knows?  We do know there will always be the "next" one and will always prepare accordingly.  It comes with the territory.  Its part of living on the Bayou.  I would not trade it for anything.

The Air Show

  Last week, the air base across the Bay sponsored an amazing air show.   The Bayou is the perfect spot to watch these shows as the planes fly over the Bay giving us a clear view.  But..to be honest here, I did not watch the show.  I am so accustomed to seeing the planes over the Bay that one more day is not thrilling.  It is just noisy.  Very noisy.  Any other day, the planes do not kick in their "noise-makers" that stir the excitement like on the show days.  I gardened instead.  

  Today, however, I must admit that my favorite planes caught my attention.  These were not performing in some fancy air show but were practicing their maneuvers.  The planes are the renowned Hurricane Hunters.  In my opinion, these are some of the true heroes of the aviation world.  The pilots and planes do not seek attention but they do demand respect because of the tasks they perform.  It takes nerves of steel to fly a plane into the middle of a Category 5 hurricane to collect data.  The members of 53rd Air Reconnaissance Squadron are local heroes.  Those of us that live where hurricanes frequently make landfall depend upon the skills of these men and women to keep us abreast of the location, strength and movement of all tropical disturbances.  

  So, I watched the planes take off, fly overhead then land again all the while thinking of how much I appreciate the work performed by the Hurricane Hunters.  Yep, watching the practice maneuvers is my kind of air show!

Standing strong against the odds

  It is a well known fact that wind can do major damage.  Here on the Bayou, that is quite evident.  We get a lot of hurricanes passing through this way.  The straight line winds push the tides way up and also cause damage to buildings.  This can be devastating, to say the least.  Hurricane winds don't just come in one direction, however.  In fact, while the strongest winds usually are in a direct path, you never really know which direction the gusts will blow.   Plus, most hurricanes have tornadoes mixed in the mess so everything is topsy-turvy.  A hurricane is one big mess of wind coming from just about every direction in any given moment.  Pop always used to say that a hurricane had a mind of its own and you should never take its action as a given.  "Its always going to change and surprise you to the worst."  They do change so never take to the idea that you have one figured out.  You don't. Trust me on that.

  In 1985 a hurricane was playing in the Gulf of Mexico.  It was one of those unpredictable storms that left everyone confused.  The hurricane went this way and that.  It made many turns before setting its sites on a place to make landfall.  On September 2, Hurricane Elena paid us a visit.  The storm made landfall as a Category 3 and pretty much wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast.  Hurricane Elena spawned many, many tornadoes which decimated everything in their paths.   

  That said, down the hill near where the property meets the marsh, an old oak tree stands.  It has been there for decades upon decades as have most of the other oak trees on the place.  This one particular oak, however, still shows the strength of hurricane winds in its limbs.  It was shortly after Hurricane Elena (and its many tornadoes) that we noticed the evidence that the oak had been caught up in the middle of a cyclone.  Several of its huge limbs were torqued into odd shapes.  The tree was strong and withstood the winds but, to this day, it still bears the evidence of the trauma.  The twisted branches are a reminder not to take the weather for granted.  Mother Nature can release her fury on the Bayou at any time (as in any place) so it makes sense just to be fully aware of what is happening and to be prepared.  

  As I stood looking at the oddly shaped branches today, it came to mind that, while we can prepare for storms, the trees just have to "hold their ground". They are battered by both wind and water but the old oaks do a fine job of being sturdy.  I pondered of how many storms these old trees must have witnessed.  How many times were they bent and broken only to recuperate and thrive again?  Hurricane Elena was bad but how many storms before and how many after were worse?  Hurricane Katrina came along some twenty years later and did her best to decimate the Gulf Coast. The oaks beat the odds against her, too.  Between these two storms many other hurricanes and tropical storms twisted and turned the trees.  The old oaks stood strong against those unpredictable winds that rip, tear, twist and ravage the place.  What mighty trees they are!  I put my hand against the rough bark and wished I could stand so strong against the odds.

There are spiders in there!

  When I was just a wee tot, I was bitten by a spider.  The spider was never identified but I was told it was definitely a spider bite.  That seems to be a reasonable assumption merely due to where I was when I received said bite.  The story begins the day after a hurricane had hit the area.  While the old farmhouse did not receive damage, the trees in the yard took a beating.  Several large trees had been uprooted and left gaping holes in the ground.  For some reason, a large tapestry was draped over the tree limbs to dry.  Ahh, to a tiny kid being told to go play while the adults cleaned up the mess, that tapestry became a tent!  I happily whiled away the hours in my own little world until that fateful moment when something decided that I had been there long enough.  I remember excruciating pain on my knee and, as a tyke would, I went screaming for Mom.  Since doctors were not usually called upon unless you were in dire straits, I had to tough it out.  Mom washed the then rapidly swelling bite.  Pop came in and put some sort of "drawing salve" (which I remember as being black, tar like and smelly) on the spot and then wrapped up my leg with a piece of torn bed sheet.  For the next few hours, I walked around looking like the most forlorn mummy ever to be released on the world.  Later, Pop "operated" on my wound.  A scalded pocket knife did the evil job of lancing the bite and the most acrid smelling ick came pouring out.   More of that black salve was applied and the knee was bandaged again.  All of this was done without any anesthesia.  I was given a new toothbrush to make amends.  Whoopee!  Yay!  Ouch!  I was also reprimanded about not watching out for spiders.  "Stay away from hollow trees and dark holes.  Spiders live there."    So my tent playing was over and I was still mummified for a few days with ragtag bed sheet strings dangling from my knee.  I did, however, recover unscathed except for a small scar left behind by the pocketknife.  This bite was the start of a long line of spiders just waiting to attack!  Since then, I have probably received nigh on 50 bites from one sort of spider or another.  Thankfully, the pocketknife has not been seen as the cure all since that most haunting day.

Looking up into the hollow tree.

  This story came to mind when I had the bright idea to stick my hand inside of a hollow tree today.  Why?  I wanted to see if the tree really was filled with evil spiders just waiting to pounce on unsuspecting folks.  The tree is a large oak that was damaged by yet another hurricane a few years back.  Hurricane Katrina had tossed large mounds of debris in our yard. One piece of that debris was an entire deck from someones house.  That deck slammed against the tree leaving a gaping gash.  The tree did protect the side of the house from being hit by the deck so all was good.  Now, however, that poor tree is hollow and almost dead.  So...curiosity got the best of me. I stuck my camera up in the hole and took a photo.  In fact, I took several since I had no way of telling if I was even focusing on anything.  I fully expected to see all sorts of critters on the photograph but, even though I enlarged it, I found nothing resembling a critter.  No termites...no roaches...no beetles...no grub worms...and, believe it or not...NO SPIDERS!  Well now!  Did I just debunk the well-meaning advice given to me as a youngster or did all critters vacate the premises so they would not be photographed??   I do find it quite odd that I found nary a bug in the tree but, at the same time, I am sort of happy that I did not.  At least, I did not get another spider bite!  

High Tides Bring All Sorts of Things

  It never ceases to amaze me just how many things wash into the Bayou on a good high tide.  Besides the usual driftwood pieces, we receive every piece of trash folks toss overboard.  Some trash confuses me a bit, however.  There was the time that Mark pulled "Santa" out of the marsh.  Why Santa was ever in the marsh befuddled me.  Another time, a doghouse washed ashore and, albeit unusual, at least it was sans the dog.  We have found antique bottles, boat seats, rods and reels, stuffed toys, soccer balls and a poodle. (The poodle was sans the doghouse.  It swam all the way across the Bay before making its way ashore by the pier.)  Finding other folks' belongings makes you wonder about the how and why behind each one.

  This afternoon as the Mr. PJ (the old dog) and I were meandering around the hillside and marsh line, I came across another "find" that made me ponder.  A fire extinguisher had washed ashore under the old oak tree on the east side of the property.  The extinguisher was obviously from a boat and obviously, from the looks of it, had been pretty battered at some point.  Since I make this hike several times a day, I pondered why I had never seen the extinguisher before.  Perhaps this had come in on the high tides associated with Hurricane Nate earlier this year but was covered with other debris until now.  Winter tides are, as a rule, low due to the north wind so it could not have ridden the waves recently.  Who lost their extinguisher?  Had a boat sunk during that recent storm which was not much more than a good squall?  Did someone just toss the thing overboard as pathetic people tend to do?  Was it a working extinguisher when it was lost?  How long had it been in the marsh?  So many questions with no ready answers.  My find for the day is just another piece of trash at this point.  It will be fished out of the mud and disposed of properly along with the several dozen beer cans and drink bottles that I also retrieved today.  I sure wish folks would stop dumping their trash in my front yard (also known as the Bayou!).

Now That Is Some Fishing!

  Fishing has been relatively good as of late which makes me happy.  If we catch fish, we eat fish and my grocery bill is cut exponentially!  Seafood is one of those things that I can eat just about every day of the week and still not grow tired of it.  I guess that is a good thing since I live on a bayou!  It would be terrible if it was the other way around.  But...fishing and eating is good!

  Still, not everything we pull from the water is edible or, more to the point, tasty.  Son tells me that most everything is technically edible but some things are just not tasty.  Alrighty, then....I guess he makes a valid point.  This week already, Mark and I caught several things that I deemed inedible. One large eel, dozens of gafftopsails, about half of the hard-head catfish ever in existence, a soccer ball and a board.  Yep...to all of the above.  None are edible in my view.

  The fish, however, can be explained as something that one might readily find in the Bayou but the soccer ball and board are different stories.  The board is a huge thing that floated up during Hurricane Nate and became lodged in the marsh near the pier.  Always on the lookout for a good piece of lumber, we decided to "catch" the plank and bring it ashore.  If no one claimed it, we could surely use it in some project on the pier.  After a dozen or more casts, he finally snagged the board and eased it out of the marsh.  It did not take long before the huge plank was sitting on the pier.  This will make a fine replacement board for one of the pier "stringers" that are damaged due to the storm surge. If bought, the plank would probably cost nigh on $70.   I would say that his catch was a success!

  My catch was not so worthy of note.  The soccer ball was something else that Hurricane Nate deposited at the pier.  Obviously, by the number of barnacles encrusting the ball, it has been in the water for some time.  Perhaps this has been sitting in the marsh since Hurricane Katrina and washed out by the flooding of the more recent storm.  The ball IS NOT usable by any means but still is a rather unusual catch.  Since the ball was half filled with water and mud, when I pulled it out of the Bay, I thought I may have snared a turtle!  There is nothing like the dead weight of a mud filled soccer ball to give you a nice pull!  This catch was not a success unless you consider that I am "cleaning" the Bayou!

  Neither of our catches will put supper on the table but the redfish and trout we caught will be mighty edible AND tasty!  Its all good, though, as it does shake things up a bit for us!  Plus, just between you, me and the pier post, any day spent fishing is a good day.

Storm on the Horizon

  What a difference a day can make.  The days have been beautiful here on the Bayou for the past, oh, well...summer!  We have had rains to keep the gardens flourishing, sunshine to warm our souls and just enough breezes to keep the sweltering summer days at bay.  Then, wham!  In a mere twenty-four hours we are threatened with a hurricane.  The storm, Nate, has entered the Gulf of Mexico and is barreling across to meet us headlong.  We have a lot to do in the morning.  Our sunrise will look a tad different come tomorrow!

  Folks who do not live on a coastline and are not bombarded periodically by these storms have little idea what is involved in preparing for them.  I will not go into detail but lets just say that to be fully prepared for whatever Mother Nature has to throw at you, ain't easy.  Those who do not prepare ahead of time, sometimes regret their lackadaisical methods.  To me, it all goes down to that "better to be safe than sorry" adage.  

  With Nate traveling at such a high rate of speed, there is little chance that it will become a severe storm.  If he stalls anywhere in the Gulf, we will have plenty to fret over.  Hopefully, he will decide to be quick and to the point.  "Lets get it over with!" sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

  In the meantime, I will try to post as many pictures as possible for as long as possible.  Things may slide through fine but there is always the outside chance that things could get a mite hairy.  The Bayou will be rockin' tomorrow so say a little prayer for everyone down this way.  

Go Where You Can Thrive

  Yesterday, I spent the afternoon photographing birds and critters down in the creek behind the Little Bayou House.  I had nothing better to do or, at least, I had nothing I would rather have done than tromp knee-deep in the ferns and spider lilies.  It is just a great way to escape from reality for a bit.  As I was trying to get a photograph of a Red-bellied Woodpecker, I noticed something a tad strange about the tree in front of me.  The bird had flown from a black gum tree to a longleaf pine and it was that pine that seemed unusual.  The limbs were gnarled and twisted into what almost seemed like knots.  Pondering this, I checked the other pines and saw that a few were in the same condition.  Others, however, had "normal" limbs.  What was up with the odd trees?

   Looking at the trees, I began to realize that they were all more or less in a "row" and other trees in that "row" were just as twisted. Perhaps these were all damaged by storm winds years ago.  Hurricanes spawn lots of tornadoes which could twist and tangle the limbs in such a manner.  Regardless of the force that was put on this tree, it stood fast.  While pines normally have a tendency to "top out" during hurricanes, this one held its ground. The winds twisted and turned the limbs as the storm ravaged the area.  After the hurricane passed, the tree continued to grow.  Instead of succumbing to the forces around it, the tree survived.  Its limbs now a tangled mess, strengthened as it grew. 

  Tromping about in the depths of the creek can bring a lot of things into a clearer perspective.  Life is short and you have to make do the best you can.  When life throws woes at you, it is best to use those to make yourself stronger.  Don't let others twist and turn you enough that you cannot thrive. What you do with your life does not matter diddlysquat to others in the long run, so I say, do what makes YOU happy.  Personally, the bog makes me happy so I am heading back tomorrow.  

I wonder......

  Sometimes I ponder about things that most folks would just ignore. For instance, just a few days ago, I pulled a piece of "trash" from the marsh.  It seems to be a never-ending job to keep the area clean.  Folks have a tendency to toss more things into the water as if they will just disappear.  It makes me sad to see such a mess so I use the boathook to fish things out and dispose of them properly.  This piece of trash was a bit different.  It had obviously been in the water for quite some time. Mud and barnacles had encrusted parts of the vinyl whatever-it-was-at-one-time. Presumably some hurricane, most likely Katrina, had deposited the article in the marsh. I am not real sure what in the world I was holding.  The piece was definitely some sort of vinyl (or plastic) but it could have been anything from a box to a purse or even just a notebook of some sort.  All I had was a flat piece of something decorated with blue dots and snowflake-looking designs.  I photographed the thing and discarded it as it was deteriorating with each touch.

  What caught my eye as unique was the fact that someone had labeled this item.  One of those punch label machines had been used to identify the item at one point. The name of Roxann Stockstill stood out in clear letters as did her address.  Wow!  This thing had traveled all the way here from Louisiana!  The address said Orchid Drive in Harvey, Louisiana.  That street is nearly a hundred miles from the Bayou! I wish that I had found this back before the elements took such a toll on the item.  Since it was identifiable, it would have been most grand to return the item to its owner.  Imagine the tales this thing could tell.  The sad part of the whole thing is the fact to have wound up in my Bayou, the home that once held the object must have been destroyed.  Waves must have carried the object over the distance and deposited it here.  I do hope Roxann remained safe and has since recovered from what must have been a devastating loss.  

  The power of hurricanes is astonishing.  The water and wind are things to be respected and most of us near coastlines understand this. Still, things happen...sometimes things that are not to our liking. Sometimes things can be downright devastating.  Roxann Stockstill, whoever and wherever you are, I pray that you are safe.  You have been on my mind for these past few days.

Waiting...

We are sitting here wondering just where this tropical storm (or hurricane!) is going to make landfall.  It is one of those things that require a lot of waiting since there is not a lot one can do without clear knowledge of a track.  We should know sometime tomorrow if any preparations are necessary.  We do know that we will most likely have some change in the tides and a bit of wind regardless of where it hits.  If, perchance, a direct hit on the Bayou occurs, there will be a lot that needs doing but, for now, we wait.  Mark and I took our waiting to the pier this morning.  The sunrise was gorgeous and the fish were biting.  A few trout and a nice redfish make for a tasty supper.

While we were fishing, a Snowy Egret came to visit.  These birds always make me smile!  I love how graceful they appear until they start to scurry after a minnow.  Then they take on the appearance of some awkward teenager that suddenly has to deal with a growth spurt!  Their legs seem to go in every direction except where the bird wants!  I was showing Mark how I feed these friends of mine.  When I am on the pier alone, the birds will actually take food from my hand but, today, the egret was a bit skittish.   Mark's presence was enough to make the bird leery but it was Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, that made things hugely scary!  I had to reprimand Ez several times to make her understand that I wanted the bird there!  After a few menhaden were tossed down the pier a ways, the bird soon came to realize that it was safe.  Closer and closer it came until it was just a few feet away.  Had we stayed longer, I am sure my friend would have come to take the minnow from my hand as it usually does. Sometimes waiting does have its rewards but we were ready to head back to the Little Bayou House.

The Snowy Egret is a beautiful bird that is the epitome of the Bayou.  Old oak trees laden with Spanish Moss, Snowy Egrets and alligators..what better description of a bayou is needed?  It seems a shame that people were..as usual..the factor that almost caused these fine birds to fall into extinction.  The fashion industry coveted their snow white plumes.  Each plume became an overpriced decoration for a hat or other fashion accessory.  The poor birds were hunted almost until there were no more.  I am glad that the birds have become protected so that once again, the marshes can be graced by their beauty.

Keeping a weather-eye on the horizon!

So far this season, there has been little action in the Gulf of Mexico in the form of tropical weather. It has been quiet..almost too quiet for the past few years. It makes one wonder if a "big one" is brewing..just waiting to slip in and stir up things a bit. Now, there is a system sitting slap in the middle of the Gulf that could become "Lee" shortly. The system is a vast amount of clouds that appears to be gaining a bit of circulation. Our Labor Day Weekend could just possibly be spent watching a hurricane spin about. Batten down the hatches and keep a weather-eye on the horizon..a storm is brewing!

After cutting the grass, the rest of today was spent gathering up the fishing gear from the pier and odds and ends from around the yard. Even if this comes in as just a tropical storm, there is no need to have things flying about and smacking the house. Better safe than sorry. Again my motto for storm preparation..(Prepare for the worst and pray for the best.)..comes into action. With the tides expected to run a good bit above normal, we not only gathered the fishing gear but tied down the wooden benches on the pier. These are a tad heavy to drag the two hundred or so feet up the length of the pier and then up the steep hill toward the house. Tying them will have to suffice. Tomorrow, depending on the hurricane forecast, will be spent cooking a few meals, making ice, gathering water..all just in case the power lines are knocked down and we are out of electricity for any length of time. Then..it is just a matter of sitting out the storm. This one, at the moment, does not have me overly concerned although this could change in just a few hours if the storm strengthens above a category 2. As for now..it seems to be a major rainmaker with gusty winds..more of a break in the monotony of a hot summer.

Just a few tips from someone that has been through a fair share of hurricanes....

1. Don't panic. A hurricane is just another weather phenomenon. It does, however, need to be treated with a fair amount of respect. If it scares you to ride one out..get out..evacuate well ahead of the landfall time. And do get out if you live in a less than durable home, in a low lying area or have medical needs.
2. Do let someone know what your plans are..give them a phone number or address where you will be..whether you evacuate or stay and ride out the storm. Don't forget to pack any important papers to take if you do evacuate.
3. Well before the storm, secure any loose items in the yard..such as lawn furniture, bird feeders/houses, windchimes and toys, etc. These can become airborne projectiles that can do serious damage to the home or to your body!
4. If need be, board up the windows. This will protect the inside of your house from getting wet if the window breaks because you forgot to secure everything outside..or from tree limbs.
5. Keep check on the weather reports. Enough said.....
6. Gas up the car..this is important. If the storm is bad, you may not be able to get gas for weeks. Make sure to get enough for generators, chainsaws or any other gas operated machinery.Also, make sure you have enough oil for the machinery.
7. Stock enough food for at least a few days..and enough water for at least a week. If the storm is a bad one..this should be doubled or tripled. Also..make sure the food is shelf stable and have some on hand that does not need to be cooked. Do not forget that you will need drinking water, wash water and water for cooking. *Also, stock up on prescription medications that you will need.* You may not be able to get meds for several weeks.
8. If you have enough room in the freezer, make ice. Trust me..you can never have too much ice. Not only will this help protect what is in the freezer/refrigerator for a few days, it will also give you more water when it thaws. (Not to mention, it is usually unbearably hot after a storm and the ice will be appreciated!)
9. If you have a tight fitting plug in the bathtub, fill it with water to use in flushing the toilet. Chances are..no electricity..no water for flushing the toilet..not a nice situation.
10. If you do not have a barbeque grill..get one..this could be a lifesaver indeed! I cooked on my grill for about twenty or more people a day for weeks following Hurricane Katrina. If it is a gas grill, make sure you have sufficient propane. (To go with this, paper plates and cups are nice as you will have no water to wash dishes!)
11. Check on your neighbors, the elderly or the disabled to see if they need help. You would want someone to do the same for you if you needed help.
12. Make sure your pets are safe! And do not forget to stock up on their food, too. Plus, make sure to have fresh water on hand for them. If you have a cat..get cat litter! (And get any pet medications that are needed.)
13. Make sure you have working flashlights and extra batteries. Here, we have invested in several solar shop lights. These can be used for quite a few hours before needing to be recharged.
14. Get some cash to keep on hand. After a storm, most places are cash only and your credit cards, debit cards and checks will not be accepted.
15. Don't panic.

While these are all good pieces of advice, there are many, many more things that should probably be attended before a hurricane. Most of these are only for a more severe storm and do not apply to just a tropical storm. Tropical storms usually come in and stir things up a bit but unless they are accompanied by tornadoes, don't cause a lot of damage other than flooding. If the storm is quite strong or you are nervous about riding it out at home..do evacuate. I have never felt the need to leave..the Little Bayou House has served me well..it has given my family shelter through many storms. I will ride out this one..and the next..and so on. Prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Be safe, my friends!